To want to see a doctor

[Locc]

I have a fairly new complex medical it started last September. There's been a bit so with my my tests etc and I was discharged from a clinic despite still having this serious problem.

I have asked for a face-to-face meeting appointment with a GP due to the complexity of the issue and have been refused. I have spoken to two peas on the phone phone but they just do not understand the problem as they have no experience with this particular issue.

Am I being unreasonable to push for a face-to-face so I can explain this and make sure they are understanding what I am asking them for help with with?

Because of this and been extremely isolated and other medical problems I've ended up suicidal. At the end of last week I was really poorly with the new problem ( which can be life-threatening) but I feel unable now to ask that help because nobody seems to be listening.

I don't know what to do do.

I am sorry for the mistakes. I use, speech to text and quite often it doesn't understand my accent. I don't know how to correct the spelling mistakes sorry

You are not being unreasonable at all. Could you go to a&e?

Almost all practices are doing phone consultations initially, but will organise face to face after that if really needed. Have they refused face to face after a phone consult, or have you not had a phone consult?

If the GPS don’t understand the problem as they don’t have the experience as you stated, then a face to face is going to get you no further forward surely ?
Are they referring you to speciality ??
If so they can do that following phone review

Would a face to face appointment really help?

If they genuinely dont have the experience and knowledge why would a in person visit make them understand? Maybe you would be better off if you can stay under the specialist? - is there a way you could ask to be rereferred to that clinic

I love that you spoke to two peas on the phone but I appreciate that this is no laughing matter.

I can do video calls with patients, and your GP's offer that?

It might also help to state what the issues are.

MN is so vast there is more of often than not, some others that have endured the same and could help.

@soresore

You are not being unreasonable at all. Could you go to a&e?

I've been to a&e 3 times (after other people calling for help as I was unable) all 3 times treated differently but they had no answers and made a note of it, whatever that means. I felt I wasn't listened to. Also had a paramedkc here (called by someone else), he stay 2 hours stabilising things to avli and a&e trip.

I'm going to do an explanation further down rather than in each response

Thank you for helping

It's complex, but hard to respond to everyone separately, but I'll try.

I collapsed on September with hypoglycaemia (non-diabetic) and took over 5 hours in resus to stabilise me as the hypoglycaemia appeared to cause low blood pressure low pulse, shallow breathing and unresponsive ( GCS3) I was discharged the next day with instructions to keep checking blood sugar levels and referral to the appropriate department.

I've only had a paramedic visit as above, three trips to A&E infrequent hypoglycemia attacks I managed to cheat at home ma.

In December I collapsed again totally unresponsive and nothing anybody tried to raise my blood sugar with work I almost died. In resus there were times when they couldn't record a blood pressure as it was so low so they couldn't get a capillary blood glucose level again is that was so low and I was peri-arrest( cardiac arrest) . Again it took over 5 hours to be able to raise my blood glucose levels to above 4 I can't remember anything for 2 days. I had tests that are very specific and time sensitive and these are done incorrectly I was then discharged from the hospital.

That hospital send the test results it's to the consultant I still have not seen they didn't send and any of the reports from A&E that explains why I was admitted to hospital. He has scene these resorts and totally misunderstood the situation and discharge me from that clinic so I have no expert help.

I have called my GP for help he didn't even know what level blood sugar was when it became a concern which worries me he was asking if I've got too much stress burning up my glucose therefore causing hypoglycemia he eventually said he would email the consultant to ask if 2.3 was a blood sugar low enough to be concerned( 2.3 is critical). That was 2 weeks ago go I've heard nothing since despite him saying you would contact this consultant via email.

Non-diabetic hypoglycemia in this phone is rare which is why the GPS and not understanding it. It is also life-threatening.

For the other thought I having a little big please sync on this is my life if. I had to lie now it's last week where I blood sugar was almost critical ( 2.6) but I didn't feel I could ask for help because nobody is listening to what I am trying to tell them. The only reason I cheated my low blood sugar it was because of my children and grandchildren. I am secretly hoping that one of these hypoglycemic crisis and she killed me me me because been so isolated living alone with something that is life threatening when nobody is listening is f frightening and all I want to do is see a doctor face-to-face to show him what is written on my letters from A&E and talk through what is actually there are.

I'm sorry this is long. I feel tone because I feel desperate for help and desperate for somebody to actually listen to me and find out what is happening because he's hypoglycemia Crisis 2 of whichever almost kill me oh for Christ's sake just let me die.

If you do find a previous message from me on a different thread just got different information that is because I was trying to keep my identity secret at the moment I couldn't give a flying four corners so I've put these details down.

I wonder if it might be better to do an e consult or write a letter, so that you can get your thoughts out clearly? That would give the GP a chance to research, contact the consultant, etc.

I'm still not clear what a face to face appointment would offer over and above a virtual one. They both require the same explanation. I feel like I'm missing something.

Yes same here, can’t see a
Rationale for face to face
Stop asking for what isn’t on offer and get
A phone / video appointment to discuss your concerns

I know you say you're not diabetic, but I'd phone the diabetic department at the hospital and ask to speak to the diabetes nurse. S/he will probably give you advice or recommend who you need to speak to.

Who is your consultant and have you seen them yet.

@Lougle

I wonder if it might be better to do an e consult or write a letter, so that you can get your thoughts out clearly? That would give the GP a chance to research, contact the consultant, etc.

Hi, I contacted a support worker who also suggested this, thank you so much. It's a horrible position to be in

@picknmix1984

I'm still not clear what a face to face appointment would offer over and above a virtual one. They both require the same explanation. I feel like I'm missing something.

Hi, thank you for responding.

Think I am past caring how outing this is now, I just need help.

I want to sit down with a GP and show him the hard copy of the events that occurred in resus

@Schmoozer

Yes same here, can’t see a Rationale for face to face Stop asking for what isn’t on offer and get A phone / video appointment to discuss your concerns

Nice, thank you for your support.

@pursuedbyablackdog

I know you say you're not diabetic, but I'd phone the diabetic department at the hospital and ask to speak to the diabetes nurse. S/he will probably give you advice or recommend who you need to speak to.

I was being seen by endocrinology and at the same clinic I would visit if I were diabetic. I appreciate you helping, thank you.

@Marinaloves

Who is your consultant and have you seen them yet.

I'm not going to name my consultant on an open forum, sorry. I have never seen him or even spoken to him over the phone. I have spoken to the specialist nurse and seen her twice for 2 tests. She called me after I was discharged, not understanding why I was discharged.

It is a truly awful position to be in.

I just want to sit down with a GP and go through the paperwork etc from the hospital as my GP cannot seem to find it.

I think you could talk with your gp on the phone, you may need a referral to an endocrinology doctor but I would first address your life style as the episodes sound like pre-diabetes and you can help yourself.

These low blood sugars can be a result of eating sugary foods or refined cards, say white toast and jam at breakfast, then being active....your body will pump out insulin to treat the climbing blood sugar. Sometimes with pre diabetes your body is resistant to insulin and pumps out more than what is needed then your blood sugar goes too low .

To stop this you need to eat whole grain foods, eating little and often.

Do you eat regularly?

Sorry, I didn't see you have seen endocrinology already

You can write a letter to your GP and enclose copies of the reports. Then they'll contact you. I've had to do that a few times for complicated things. A 5 minute face to face isn't going to even get you started on your issues.

This sounds incredibly hard. You’ve obviously had really frightening things experiences. Covid can make this even more isolating and scary and it sounds like you have a lot of unanswered questions.
In terms of physical health your GP should be your advocate here even if It is outside their knowledge area. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood your post but it sounds like you’ve been discharged from endocrinology? I think you need a proper endocrine screen and I hope the GP would push for that.

Understandably this has taken its toll on your mental health and I think you should flag this to the GP or access your local mental health services via 111 option 2. Have you got any support?
Sadly when you’re feeling unwell it’s even harder to push for proper care. I’d personally go for a virtual appt- acknowledge it will likely not be their area of expertise but ask who they feel you need to be referred to next or ask them to get advice from endocrinology or even acute medicine.

I feel for you op- it sounds really hard and the current situation makes it so isolating

Unless there is a physical thing a GP can add by seeing you in person, it is reasonable for them to only discuss on the phone. Paperwork you have to show them could be emailed to the surgery (ask receptionist for email address) or dropped off an scanned in, so I dont think they are being unreasonable for not seeing you in person.

If you are awaiting to see an endocrinologist, what is it that you are wanting your GP to do?

I'm not trying to be unsympathetic, as it sounds like something is really wrong and you need to see a specialist. I can only suggest 1) that if your BMs are critically low you call 999, and get taken into A&E. The A&E can refer you to the medical team who can in turn organise inpatient endocrinology review if it's deemed urgent enough. 2) contact pals to try and expedite endocrinology review.

I'm not really sure what your GP can add here?

@Mrspimplepopper

I think you could talk with your gp on the phone, you may need a referral to an endocrinology doctor but I would first address your life style as the episodes sound like pre-diabetes and you can help yourself.

These low blood sugars can be a result of eating sugary foods or refined cards, say white toast and jam at breakfast, then being active....your body will pump out insulin to treat the climbing blood sugar. Sometimes with pre diabetes your body is resistant to insulin and pumps out more than what is needed then your blood sugar goes too low .

To stop this you need to eat whole grain foods, eating little and often.

Do you eat regularly?

Hi,

Thank you for replying. I'm not sure you have read all my posts I have already been referred to endocrinology urgently after the 1st hypoglycemic attack that left me comatose (GCS 3/titally unresponsive) and I was discharged from endocrinology without ever seeing the consultant. That was because I was admitted again (GCS 3, I recordable blood pressure, bradycardia, unabld to draw capillary blood to test glucose levels, I was peri-arrest for hours. However, when I was discharged they ky sent details of the 72h tests and the GGT, which meant the endocrinologist at mykc NHS Trust did not have any record of the crisis event or the repeated hypoglycaemic events during my 2 week hospital stay. This is all Addressed in previous posts)

I have already spoken to my GP on the phone and got nowhere due to the complexity, hence me wanting to see him face to face to go through the lengthy paperwork with him. He cannot find the reports from A&E, despite me making copies and hand dilivering them.

I don't want to sound ungrateful for your help, but I haven't asked for advice about what my condition may be, or for diet advice.

I am not diabetic or pre-diabstic. My normal range blood sugar is 4.2 to 6.1mml/L and has never tested more than 7.0mmol/L and rarely increases over 6.5mmol/L. Wen it gets as low as 2.2mmol/l I collapse (unresponsive)

My HbA1c is 27mmol/L and the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) Test showed normal levels. The GTT was normal.

My diet is very good; I eat fresh foods meals made from scratch and rarely eat processed foods (I have coeliac disease which prompted me into healthy eating at regular intervals several years ago because of the high calorie and high sugar content of manufactured GF foods) and my BMI is 24.5.

It is help with how to get a face to face appointment because my GP isn't understanding what the problem is (he said that GPs don't tend to deal with hypoglycaemic crisis events or low blood sugar problems and he cannot find the paperwork from the hospital.

I have a GP phone appointment in the morning. All I need is a face to face with someone who can work out what is wrong with me or be re-referred to the endocrinologist then at least I can show him what has actually happened.